“You didn’t have to do that. It’s expensive.”
“Hi, she married a billionaire,” Alex says helpfully. “That’s just a normal Friday afternoon for them.”
I snort and check my phone.
Husband: I heard, and I’m glad. Billie planned a bunch of stuff. Have fun. Call when you’re ready to come home, and I’ll come get you.
Me: Okay, sounds good. Love you!
“Let’s go party, girls.”
“I haven’t read this one,” Alex says, plucking a paperback off one of Billie’s shelves. This is my first time here, and now I understand what Brooks meant when he said that my library won’t be as fancy as this.
No one’slibrary is as fancy as this.
Unless you’re Belle, and your boyfriend is a beast.
Becauseholy shit, this is something to behold.
It’s a two-story library with floor-to-ceiling shelves and the amazing rolling ladder that every girl dreams of. The whole room is painted in robin’s egg blue, with a wallpapered ceiling in all different colors.
“This is dreamy,” I announce as I stand in the middle of the room, just looking around. I notice that some of the shelves are still bare. “You have room to grow with new books.”
“I know, I love that,” Billie says with a grin. “I spend a lot of time in here.”
“I would, too,” Darby agrees.
Have I mentioned that I love that Darby’s home?
“I thought you had to go back to Colorado,” I say to my friend, but she grins.
“I delayed by a couple of days. I had the extra time, so I stayed. I leave the day after your opening, so I can stop in and try all of the amazing food I’ve been hearing about.”
“Oh, that makes me happy. I’m going to pretend that you’re staying just for me.”
“Who’s readSinful Kingby Natalie Kane?” Skyla asks, waving the book in the air. “Because this sounds good. A Mafia romance set in Vegas where the mmc owns a sex club and the heroine is plus-sized? Hell yes.”
“Oh, it’sso good,” Billie says. “I read it. They play with Shabari ropes. You need it in your life.”
“Do you have it in the store?” I ask her.
“Sure do.” Billie grins, and the next thing I know, she’s hugging me close and sniffling in my ear. “Is it real? Are you seriously my sister now? It’s not a dream, right?”
“Aw, bug.” I drag my hand over her hair and kiss her cheek. “It’s not a dream at all. But do you know whatdoesfeel surreal? This library.”
“I know.” She sniffs again but doesn’t let go. “It’s so fancy. And you can come over and we can hang out in here and read and talk and have wine after the baby comes.”
“I’d love to do all of that.”
“I want in on that action.” Dani raises her hand.
“You need more chairs in here,” Harper adds. “Oh! And maybe some little bassinets for us to put the babies while we read.”
“No way, the men can keep the babies.” Skyla shakes her head. “Library time is for peace and quiet.”
I chuckle as we leave the gorgeous library and head back out to the kitchen, where Cassie, who happens to not only be Billie and Connor’s personal chef but also works for Alex and her guys, is just setting up what looks like an amazing spread of food.
“You’re just in time,” Cassie says with a wide smile. “This end of the island is charcuterie. Cheeses, meats, nuts, and fruit. There are some delicious local jams that I found that pair wellwith the cheese and these amazing gluten-free crackers that I made.”
